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Health Service Board approves 2020 rate cards, rejects proposed specialist copay hike for UHC, adds Kaiser transportation rider with rollout conditions
Summary
The board approved a package of 2020 insurance rates, including Hartford life/LTD renewals and Kaiser retiree rate cards with a new transportation rider; after public comment and staff explanations, the board voted to keep UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage co‑pays at status quo and required follow‑up on wheelchair access for Kaiser's transportation benefit.
The San Francisco Health Service System board on June 13 reviewed and approved several 2020 rate proposals and program riders after detailed presentations by Aon consultant Mike Clark and carrier representatives.
Hartford life and long‑term disability renewal Mike Clark asked the board to adopt a three‑year rate guarantee (2020–2022) for basic life, long‑term disability (LTD) and supplemental life/AD&D. Clark explained that basic life experience has trailed premiums and recommended raising the basic life rate (from $0.08 to $0.114 per $1,000 monthly) while negotiating a deeper reduction in LTD premiums to deliver net employer savings over the three‑year cycle. The board voted unanimously to approve the renewal package.
UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage (UHCMA PPO) Clark presented two UHC scenarios for 2020: a status‑quo renewal and a design option that would raise specialist office visit copays from $15 to $20 and fund a new annual 14‑meal delivery benefit (Mom's Meals) to improve nutrition access. UnitedHealthcare representative Michelle Balrath described the ACA "health insurer" tax (HIP tax) and said UHC planned to pass that tax through as a line‑item calculation; the tax accounts for roughly 10 percentage points of the proposed UHC increase. Commissioners and retiree representatives questioned the fairness of raising specialist copays — which would affect sicker members who see multiple specialists — and noted very low uptake of the 2019 post‑discharge meal benefit (two uses in the first three months). After debate and public comment from retiree groups, Dr. Stephen Follinsby moved to accept the status‑quo rate cards (no copay increase); the motion carried unanimously.
Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage (KPSA) transportation rider For KPSA, Clark recommended adopting a $2.75 per member per month transportation rider to offer non‑emergency routine and post‑discharge trips (up to 24 one‑way trips annually, 50‑mile limit). Kaiser representative Denise Rodriguez said the vendor and implementation plan target a January 1 launch but currently limit wheelchair‑accessible vehicle options; she pledged to expand wheelchair access as the vendor network develops. Commissioners insisted on timely follow‑up and asked staff to return with specific plans so that wheelchair‑dependent members will be served. The board approved the KPSA rate card with the transportation rider and asked staff and Kaiser to provide ongoing implementation updates.
Kaiser multi‑region retiree plans Clark also presented multi‑region (Washington, Northwest, Hawaii) Kaiser rates, which showed small net changes across regions. The board approved those rate cards unanimously.
Votes at a glance - Election of officers (Karen Breslin re‑elected president; Dr. Stephen Follinsby re‑elected vice president): carried unanimously (Item 7). - Hartford life/LTD renewal (2020–2022): approved unanimously (Item 12). - UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage: board adopted the status‑quo 2020 rate cards (no copay increase): carried unanimously (Item 14). - Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage (KPSA) 2020 rate cards with a $2.75 PMPM transportation rider (board requested documentation on wheelchair access): carried unanimously (Item 15). - Kaiser multi‑region retiree rates: approved unanimously (Item 16).
What’s next: Staff agreed to produce more detailed metrics on program utilization, report back on meal‑program uptake and the vendorization of transportation (including wheelchair accessibility options), and to continue outreach to improve member awareness and referral pathways for new value‑added services.
